Nanotechnology is a huge and growing industry with a projected global market size of $12 billions in 2012 (Global Industry Analysts, Inc.). However, there is an underlying health and safety concern associated with nanomaterials. These concerns arise from many 'unknowns', such as unknown mechanisms of action, fate and behaviour of the nanomaterials. The safe and sustainable development of nanotechnology is only possible if underpinned by robust health and safety knowledge, e.g. safety by design of nanomaterials, as well as by protecting the environment and addressing public concern. Metrology plays a huge role here, and the development of test/reference nanomaterial and standard measurement methods is essential to fill the knowledge gap.

NPL takes active part in nanomaterials eco-toxicity and toxicity assessment by participating in several national and international programmes, including the EU FP7 project MARINA and the OECD-funded project PROSPEcT. We have strong collaborative links with the Nanotechnology Industries Association (NIA), as well as the Institute of Occupational Medicine (IOM) through, for example, the Safenano Initiative. NPL contributed to a number of reports aimed at broadening our understanding of nanomaterials toxicology and eco-toxicology. Information can be found, for example, in the DEFRA report on High Aspect Ratio Nanomaterials (HARN) and the REFNANO report, which provides recommendations for the development of reference materials for engineered nanoparticle toxicology and metrology.

Selected Publications

Cellular uptake and intracellular fate of engineered nanoparticles: A review on the application of imaging techniques
R. Tantra and A. Knight
Nanotoxicology, 5 (3), pages 381-92 (2011)

Technical issues surrounding the preparation, characterization and testing of nanoparticles for ecotoxicological studies
R. Tantra, S. Jing and D. Gohil
WIT Transactions on Ecology and the Environment, 132, pages 165-176 (2010).

Characterisation of the de-agglomeration effects of nanoparticles in the presence of bovine serum albumin
R. Tantra, J. Thompkins and P. Quincey
Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces, 75 (1), pages 275-281 (2010)

If you require PDF copies of the publications, please contact us.

Contact: Ratna Tantra

External Resources:

The PROSPEcT project
The Safenano Initiative
HARN report - on High Aspect Ratio Nanomaterials
REFNANO - reference materials for engineered nanoparticle toxicology and metrology